If You're Not Excited About Brushing Your Teeth, It's Time To Upgrade

In the past couple of years, oral care has been re-imagined by the wellness world. And it's about time! The habit of tooth brushing has looked, felt, and tasted the same for decades. The new wave of products replaces ordinary floss, toothbrushes, and mouthwashes with sustainable, better-for-you options that are decidedly more minimalistic in respect to both their design and ingredient lists. Here are the products that may make the few minutes you spend brushing your teeth feel more like an act of self-care. Say cheese!

2. OLAS Marine Bioactive Rinse

Inspired by the great healing power of the ocean, Dr. Christopher Perez, the dentist behind OLAS, has created an alcohol-free mouthwash that features salt, algae, organic essential oils, CoQ10, and echinacea as star ingredients. It's microbiome-friendly and promises to help ward off gingivitis (when used as part of a healthy oral hygiene regimen) while keeping breath fresh.

3. Skinny & Co. Oil Pulling Kit

If you've always wanted to try oil pulling, this kit is a great way to start. Skinny & Co. processes its coconut oil to balance the pH, making it more mouth-friendly, and contains high amounts of lauric acid, which is one of the agents in coconut oil that binds to toxins and particles while pulling. The essential oils make pulling slightly more palatable, and the bamboo spoon helps you measure the right amount every time.

4. Cocofloss

Cocofloss is more textured than conventional floss, which reaches nooks and crannies you didn't know you were missing. In four refreshing flavors—mint, coconut, strawberry, and orange—the addition of antibacterial and antifungal coconut oil helps keep your mouth clean as a whistle.

5. Elaa Probiotic Toothpaste

Made from charcoal, clay, coconut milk powder (see a theme?), probiotics, herbs, and essential oils, this cult-favorite toothpaste is a wellness winner. It will look a little messy while you're using it and your toothbrush might look like you dipped it in mud, but don't worry—it leaves your chompers feeling exfoliated and bright.

6. Quip Toothbrush

The quip toothbrush is a dental upgrade as well as an aesthetic one. It comes equipped with an intuitive timer that buzzes in four 30-second increments meant to signal you to move the brush—you'll never get away with a quick swipe again. Plus, the brush itself suctions onto a mirror or other flat surface (e.g., tile), freeing up counter space. You can choose a color and, if you adore it, a subscription plan to keep up with brush head replacements stress-free.

7. Dr. Tung's Tongue Scraper

Tongue scraping is a classic, holistic oral health technique that has experienced a resurgence as ancient remedies like ayurveda gain mainstream cred. Tongue scraping is known to help keep breath fresh and remove residual undigested foodstuffs from the back of your tongue. It's believed that they can be reabsorbed into the body while sleeping, suggesting it's best to scrape before bed.